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| NOT SO LATEST NEWS 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 2004 (Jan - Mar) | 2004 (Apr - May) | 2004 (June - December) 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010
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Front
Cover |
Number
6 of all time Live Albums |
UK's Classic Rock Magazine publish their top 50 all time Greatest LIVE rock albums and UFO's 'Strangers In The Night' comes in the top 10, placed at Number 6.
Go and order a copy of Classic Rock
The first UFO album to feature Vinnie Moore and Jason Bonham,
"You Are Here" is due on February 16, 2004 in Europe
through SPV
Records.
The CD was recorded near Hannover, Germany with producer Tommy Newton (HELLOWEEN, CONCEPTION, VICTORY, ELEGY, ARK, TEN) and contains 11 new songs, including "The Spark That Is Us", "Slipping Away", "Mr. Freeze", "Swallow", and "Looking For The Wild One".
November 2003
UFO support Judas Priest at the Sweden Rock Festival 11th June 2004
I get many e-mails asking me how I think Vinnie will fit in with UFO and how his guitar playing will compare with Michael Schenker. So to save a little time in answering all your questions, here is my view. I am personally excited by the bands choice of guitarist for many reasons.
Firstly and for me most importantly, Vinnie seems to be a great band member and I liken the situation as to when Steve Morse joined Deep Purple. For Purple, Steve Morse took the band to another level and for the same reasons, I believe Vinnie will do the same to UFO. Vinnie says on his website "I was a huge fan of UFO and Michael Schenker when I was learning to play guitar. Many of you have probably noticed that "Lights Out", "Obcession", and "Force It" have been listed on my bio page as being three of my all time favorite records. It is a thrill to be joining a band that has been so influential to me." The whole enthusiasm of joining UFO is clear to see and Vinnie has a huge amount of respect for all the UFO band members as well as Michael Schenker. Again to quote Vinnie from his website "Regarding MS, what can I say?? He was one of my big guitar influences when learning to play. I spent hours learning his solos and played many of them note for note. His sense on melody and his emotion were a big influence on me. He was also one of the first guys (as well as Ritchie Blackmore), who exposed me to classical music. In 1999, I opened for Michael on a 32 show tour of the U.S. It was great hearing one of my heroes night after night from sidestage. He was really really great on that tour too. I guess what I am pretty much trying to say here, is that I feel like I will stylistically fit in pretty naturally with the band as I have been influenced by them so much. It's a Natural Thing. I am excited about hangin' out with the guys and getting started on the new CD."
Secondly, Vinnies guitar work is perfect. As we do not have any UFO songs at the moment to hear their new guitarist, this example of Vinnies tribute to George Harrison on his 'Time Odyssey' album - When My Guitar Gently Weeps will make every UFO fan excited. Vinnies passion, feel and technical expertise is a joy to be heard. Visit Vinnies Sound page to hear other examples as well as a LIVE video sample.
I can only feel enthused as UFO is my all time favourite Rock band and Vinnie and Jasons inclusion is the best NEWS to come out of the band this side of the Millenium.
Tristan
October 2003
PETE WAY: The Latest On The New UFO And WAYSTED Albums - Oct. 7, 2003
UFO bassist Pete Way has posted the following message to his official web site:
"Hello everybody,
I am putting together the final arrangements on getting overseas to join UFO and begin recording. I should be leaving for Hanover, Germany within the week.
"I am so excited about this record! I have heard some great stuff from [new guitarist] Vinnie [Moore] — unbelievable! All of us have been sending ideas back and forth over the last several months, and I have been here in Columbus working with Dr. X, laying down some ideas and sending them over to [UFO vocalist] Phil [Mogg] and the boys.
"I can't wait to begin playing with Vinnie and [new UFO drummer] Jason [Bonham]! They are great people and exactly what UFO needed. Paul Raymond has, over the years, given us some great songs. He is underrated, but very appreciated. I am very glad he is still on board. We should have the record ready for release early next year.
"Shortly after the recording of the new UFO record is completed, I will be returning to Ohio to finish up the WAYSTED record. Recently, Paul Chapman again traveled from Florida to 609 Recording in Bedford, Ohio, where we [are] doing the album. Thanks to the amazing Don Depew for putting up with us! Paul has laid down some amazing stuff, while I watched the Premier League on TV! (Laughs) 609 is also where we mixed 'Alive In Cleveland'. At the rate things are going, the new WAYSTED record should be completed by the end of the year.
"I am really looking forward to this new chapter in UFO's history. I know there has been some bumps in the road, but we are primed and ready to deliver another great record. We also can't wait to get back on the road and play for all of you.
"Thanks to everyone for their enormous support over the years. It means the world to all of us. Please keep checking back to Pete Way Dot net for all the latest news and happenings. We'll keep you well informed."
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 |
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| UK's Nov Issue of Classic Rock UFO - How Mogg and Way turned Schenker into a Man Obsessed 7 page article and interviews - great photos from 1976, 1977, 1978, 2003 by Ross Halfin, Jorgan Angel & Fin Costello. Fascinating history and a real warm feel for Michael, Phil and Pete. Pete is quoted as saying "Michaels not on the next UFO album but to me he's still a member of UFO. He's family". Way, commenting on life in UFO (1979 to 1983) after Michael left - "Commercially we were most successful in the Chapman era, the big dissapointment was that Michael had played such a big part in getting us there." Paul Raymond on Michael giving up the name UFO - "I was gobsmacked. I cant even consider what his motives were because he did it unconditionally... it goes to show that nobody is all bad". |
UK's Aug Issue of Powerplay http://www.powerplaymagazine.co.uk Michael on leaving UFO this year - "When Pete asked me if they could have the name UFO, I'd had enough of being accused of holding them back, so I gave them the name with a blessing, and off they went". |
Then and Now is a compilation album to be released in October of this year
Track listing as follows:
1.
Running Up The Highway (live)
2. Only You Can Rock Me (live)
3. Rock Bottom (live)
4. Shoot Shoot (live)
5. Doctor Doctor
6. Lights Out
7. Venus
8. Cherry (live)
9. Let It Roll (live)
10. Hot N Ready (live)
11. Pack It Up and Go (live)
12. Too Hot to Handle (live)
Audio
CD (October 19th, 2002)
Label: Sanctuary
Distributor: BMG
September 2003
UFO - LIVE ON EARTH
Zoom
Club Records Present:- UFO - LIVE ON EARTH - 4 x CD Special
edition digipak boxset
Capturing UFO’s stunning live show in Vienna Austria 1998.
This 4 x CD Box set contains the full
show from Vienna with tracks such as ‘Natural Thing’,
‘Electric Phase’ & the forever classic ‘Rock
Bottom’.
16 tracks in all presented in a Digipak box with full colour
photos from the tour.
Disk 3 is from Cleveland, Ohio, USA from 1977 and Disk 4 is
from Cincinatti, 1995.
This product has been endorsed and approved by Phil Mogg and
Michael Schenker.
Artist: UFO
• Title: LIVE ON EARTH • Cat No: ZCRCD98BOX
A
stunning A5 digipak featuring one of UFO's most famous classic
songs 'Only You Can Rock Me'.
Recorded Live In Vienna 1998. Taken from the Zoom Club release:
UFO - Live On Earth (ZCRCD98BOX) This is a limited run of only
1000 and is signed by Phil Mogg.
Artist: UFO • Title: LIVE ON EARTH • Cat No: ZCRCD98BOX
August 2003
New UFO Guitarist VINNIE MOORE Speaks! - Aug. 7, 2003
Guitarist extraordinaire Vinnie Moore has issued a lengthy statement commenting on the recent announcement that he has been selected to replace Michael Schenker in UFO.
Moore's statement reads as follows:
"Hello all! It's absolutely true. I WAS ABDUCTED BY ALIENS. I was driving in my truck a few weeks ago and saw some strange lights in the sky. I looked closer and noticed a disc shaped object hovering above me. It then began moving across the sky at speeds that were far beyond what could be reached by any aircraft created by human beings. It eventually descended and hovered about 15 feet over top of my truck. A beam of light pointed at me, and I was sucked right into the object. I remember a bunch of little space guys with slicked back hair and these weird silver balls in their eyes. The next thing I know, I am in my truck driving down the highway. I looked at my clock and 4 hours that I couldn't account for had passed. I have no idea what happened to me in those 4 hours. Oddly enough, I have a strange bruise on my forehead that says 'Spike did it!' Does anyone know what the heck this all means?
"All right.......enough nonsense. Sorry. I almost really started believing that story myself there for a minute.
"Thanks so much for all of the positive comments that have been left on my site regarding me joining UFO. I am real excited about it and feel like it will be loads of fun. I was a huge fan of UFO and Michael Schenker when I was learning to play guitar. Many of you have probably noticed that 'Lights Out', 'Obsession', and 'Force It' have been listed on my bio page as being three of my all time favorite records. It is a thrill to be joining a band that has been so influential to me.
"At the moment, there is not really a whole lot more to report than what has already been announced online. The story goes something like this: About 5 or 6 weeks ago I heard that UFO was looking for a guitarist and was asked to send a bunch of my tunes to Phil Mogg. I put together a little compilation CD of 11 tunes from my various records and sent it on over the big pond. About a week later, I was told that Phil heard the first three tunes and said, 'this guy totally sucks!', 'there has got to be someone better than this!'. It must have been that fourth tune that really got him. (That was the one with the subliminal messages saying – 'This is the guy....this is the guy'). Nah....just joking. Apparently, he heard the first three tunes and felt like I was the guy.
"We began communicating by phone and hit it off really well. Incredibly nice guy! I have been sending him lots of ideas and he is currently working on lyrics/vocals for them. Other members of the band are working on new ideas also. The plan at the moment is to begin recording a new CD in Germany sometime around October or November. Phil and I may get together soon to do some writing also. There is also talk of touring in 2004 but there is nothing concrete to report yet about this. The new record is top priority right now and this is what everyone is focused on. I'll keep updating my site as things unfold.
"Regarding [Michael Schenker], what can I say?? He was one of my big guitar influences when learning to play. I spent hours learning his solos and played many of them note for note. His sense on melody and his emotion were a big influence on me. He was also one of the first guys (as well as Ritchie Blackmore), who exposed me to classical music. In 1999, I opened for Michael on a 32-show tour of the U.S. It was great hearing one of my heroes night after night from sidestage. He was really, really great on that tour too. I guess what I am pretty much trying to say here, is that I feel like I will stylistically fit in pretty naturally with the band as I have been influenced by them so much. It's a Natural Thing. I am excited about hangin' out with the guys and getting started on the new CD."
"That's it for now. Rock On!!!!!!!!!!!! Ciao! Vinnie"
July 15th 2003 - NEW UFO Line-up - Official Announcement
|
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Vinnie
Moore |
Vinnie
Moore |
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Jason |
Jason
Bonham |
July 15th 2003 - Exciting News - NEW UFO line-up Officially confirmed
Vinnie Moore joins UFO on guitars with Jason Bonham on Drums/Percussion
To see Vinnie play live, visit his 'sounds webpage'
Paul Raymond returns on Keys & Guitar joining Phil Mogg and Pete Way
It seems that Vinnie and Jason joined the band last month but UFO wanted to ensure that all was in place before the Official Announcement was made TODAY. This is verified by Pete Ways Official Statement last month - see below
June 2003
UFO To Record New Album Later In The Year
UFO bassist Pete Way has issued an official statement clarifying the group's present status and future plans.
Way's statement reads as follows:
"The UFO situation is ongoing, we're waiting to put together the absolutely right formation. Myself, I never said [former EUROPE guitarist] John [Norum] would be joining. We liked his playing. We still are not sure. When we are sure, everyone will know. It has to be done with the respect and quality that everyone deserves. We will be recording by the end of this year and plan on touring by early next year.
"UFO is still my priority, along with WAYSTED, which has proven to very exciting, as of late. Most importantly, I am the bass player of UFO and always will be."
April 2003
April 24th
2003 - JOHN NORUM 'Not Officially' In UFO - Apr. 24, 2003
Despite previous reports to the contrary UFO have yet to officially enlist former EUROPE/DOKKEN guitarist John Norum as a replacement for Michael Schenker, according to Norum's web site (www.johnnorum.com). John is currently working on a new solo album in California, tentatively due before the end of the year.
January 2003
January
29th 2003 - UFO Bassist: I'm Disappointed Things Didn't Work Out With SCHENKER
UFO bassist Pete Way has issued the following statement regarding guitarist Michael Schenker's recently-announced decision to leave the band:
"What a surprise! Although when I think about it, I guess it isn't. I have been so involved in my solo things that UFO has gone to the back of my mind. [UFO frontman] Phil [Mogg] had called me the previous week and said he was going to approach Michael about the UFO situation. The fans really deserve better than they get. And I do know like me, Phil is very aware of it.
"We truly want to shake the world with the band and not turn it into a joke with all the rubbish going down. I have to say I am disappointed that things did not work out with Michael but I have to say I look forward to trying to make up for lost time. And doing it in the style and dignity that UFO fans demand. It may take time to get it together but be ready for something special. You can be sure I will work my ass off for you."
Way also commented on his upcoming solo tour of the U.S. with a backing band that will include former UFO guitarist Paul Chapman.
"This was going to be my big announcement. I have waited a long time for this. Just when I was getting excited about touring there is always a shock around the corner. I am very pleased to announce that my pal Paul Chapman will be playing lead guitar on my next set of dates. I am very excited in having the opportunity to get together with Paul and see what he does with my music. It is going to be hot!
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January 27th 2003- The official statement announcing Schenker's departure from the group reads as follows:
"Michael Schenker quits UFO!!! Michael gives back his 50% so they can tour (without Michael Schenker). Be aware if you buy a UFO concert ticket — it will be without Michael Schenker! Don't be fooled again."
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January 25th 2003 - Michael leaves UFO along with the band name, enabling the band to re-group with a new line-up
